Susceptibility of Algerian pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L) to Phytophthora capsici strains from different geographic areas

Ten pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L), that is, Doux D’Alger, Sonar, Esterel, Doux, Marconi, Magister, Belconi, Italico II, Lipari, Arabal, and Doux d’Espagne commercially grown in Algeria were inoculated with six isolates of Phytophthora capsici Leon, and susceptibility of pepper was assessed by evaluation of disease severity in different plant organs. The cultivar Italico II was found to be more resistant to P. capsici isolates compared to other cultivars, for example Esterel which was the very susceptible one. In addition, the pepper cultivars differed significantly (P < 0.01) in their susceptibility to different P. capsici isolates, on the rate of stem necrosis. However, isolated virulent fungal isolates displays similar pattern when they were inoculated to the studied cultivars (P > 0.05). However, velocity of disease development varied between resistant pepper cultivars, that is, Italico II and susceptible ones, for example Esterel. In conclusion, data suggest that pepper cultivars differ in their susceptibility to P. capsici isolates.Key words: Susceptibility, Capsicum annuum, Phytophthora capsici, greenhouse conditions